Galician Felpa Weaving March 2008

Galician Felpa Weaving

Report by Joey Freeman

            Joan Tyrell was very pleased to have been on this course –until the Guild asked her to tell us about it!  She may have been nervous but she gave us a wonderful talk, about not only the course itself, but also a little about the history of this weave.

            Joan learned Tapestry 30 years ago, but 3 years ago, she acquired a 4 shaft loom, which is when she joined our Guild. Summer School was on offer this year and Joan wanted to expand her knowledge of loom weaving.  The good news was that one of the courses looked ideal - two Requirements only ”able to operate a 2 shaft loom and able to warp up”.

           Felpa weaving is a simple but versatile process used by Spanish peasants in only a few specific areas of Spain.  The tutor Ann Champney now lives in one of these areas with her basket making partner.  They offer courses both in Basketry and in Felpa Weaving.  Its use is mainly for cushions and Bedspreads.

          Felpa is a bit like uncut moquette, it comes in a variety of styles.  It can be a whole surface cover, part surface, mixed densities etc.

            Traditionally the warp and ground weft are usually of 13/2 linen. The loops are of singles handspun wool, a bundle of five used as a group for the loops and coloured weft.  The basic technique is to pull the loops of wool up with the finger and thumb and lay over a knitting needle of the required thickness (Usually a no.3). An alternative to the wool is to use rag weft.           

Density of the warp is 20epi the loops are made at intervals of 3 ends and three picks.
Two colours may be run at once, with the Colour that is not needed being left flat as part of the weft. 

Island Felpa is when the colours used remain within their own area and are not woven right across the warp.

 Designs can be made on Graph paper with each loop being one square.  Ann has been using her computer to create designs, either on a weave programme or with digital photography.  Circles (as in Tapestry) can be very difficult to get right, but one class member Sarah Williams managed it.  Several members bought their own handspun to use.  The weave lends itself best to simple designs.  Joan created a basking shark on her sample. 

 Joan showed us a photo of all the work they had done in the Class, they certainly must have worked very hard, to produce such a wonderful result.

Joan showed us pictures of where Ann lives in Spain, of her house and the guest cottage where her student stay.  There were photos of one of the old looms and of Anns’ modern very strong and heavy loom (you need it to beat the Felpa into place)!  Ann had also brought with her some old bed covers that she had obtained, one very simple woven in 3 pieces, natural dyes Red/Yellow colours quite old (the Bed covers are only used on high days and holidays).  Another one had quite a complex design on it with what appeared to be the letters E R in the centre! It is a beautiful cover with mixed densities of weave giving emphasis to different areas, as well as flat woven sections.

Finally Joan showed used what she had made after she had returned home home. A lovely piece with two swimming fish using Chenille  instead of wool strands very difficult to work with, but she had lots to spare so she used it, a beautiful result.